world would call an old man--56 years old.

A few years ago, I was of the opinion that my life had been well
spent, but to-day I firmly believe that the major part of my life has
been spent in erroneous doctrines and nonsensical teachings, as the
broad light of wisdom and independent thought has penetrated the dark
resources of my bewildered conception of right, and has caused me to
look upon things in general in an intelligent manner. Therefore, I
feel that my youth and the vigorous years of my manhood have been
spent in what one might term idolatry.

From this time forward I am going to endeavor to undo, as near as
possible, what I have helped to accomplish in the past.

In the first place, I desire to give the reader an idea of who I am,
as the reader is entitled to this knowledge, and in the second place
I want the reader to understand what I am, and in the third place to
understand why I am what I am, as there must be a reason for all
things.

My ancestors came from Sweden, but becoming tired of religions
warfare under Gustavus Adolphus, King of Sweden, they settled in a
Catholic colony in Germany, in the southern part of the Dukedom of
Oldenburg, near the River Haase.

The reader, if he be a Protestant, is familiar with Protestant
affiliations, and I am led to believe belongs to one of the many
Protestant denominations, known under the head of Methodist, Baptist,
Christian, United Brethren, Presbyterian, Free Baptist, or some one
of the many other Protestant Churches. Therefore you can easily see